18/11/2025
On Thursday 13th November we attend a Blackadder Whisky Tasting at The Belfry 1-3 Barclay Place Edinburgh.
They are a family-run, independent bottling company, established in 1995 by Robin Tucek who now runs the business with his daughter, Hannah and his son Michael. Initially they were just a whisky bottler, but now they also bottle Rum and Gin.
They mainly sell there bottles outside of the UK but are now looking to expand their UK sales.
The tasting was led by Hannah Tucek.
We tried 7 different drams 6 supplied by Blackadder and 7th one was supplied by the owner of The Belfry Rory Dalgety.
Dram 1 was a Glen Moray 10 year’s old 63.4% abv. Spice on the palate, Water brought out some sweetness along with spice. Tayberry’s & Raspberries were also present. Unusually for such a high strength whisky I did not sneeze. Normally whisky’s over 60% abv would make me sneeze.
Dram 2 was a WestLand 10 years old 60.1% abv The WestLand Distillery is based in Seattle. The Barley they use is Golden Promise this is grown in Scotland and Shipped to Seattle. This whisky is from a first filled Bourbon barrel. There was stoned fruits and Jasmine on the palate.
Dram 3 was a Linkwood 14 year’s old 56.6 % abv finished in a PX sherry cask for 16 months. Barley Sugars, wuther originals and then with water I was getting opal fruits (Starbursts)
Dram 4 was a Ben Nevis 18 years old 56.7% abv. This was the bottle supplied by Rory it was not a Blackadder bottling, but was from Sweden and was an Inglered Bottle, The connection to Blackadder is that they bottle and label the whisky for Inglered. Apples, Pears and Vanilla and once water was added I got baked Apples with raisins.
Dram 5 was an Old Man of Hoy 19 year’s old 59% abv. (This is one of the Orkney distillery’s which cannot be named) Him gave me these notes as the Alcohol started to kick in at this point. Meaty Barbecue Ribs, Caramel.
Dram 6 was a Shizuoka 5 years old 65.4% abv. From a Bourbon cask, Initial nose was giving Coconuts and Almond cakes then I got PEAT. Sweet Peat on palate. All I was getting was Bonfires.
Dram 7 was a Peat Reek 10 years old 58.6%. All I was getting again was Bonfires. I understand that you could also get Smoky Bacon crisps. This was a Blended whisky.
